1 Topic by wenganxiang (edited by wenganxiang 2015-02-11 03:36:59)

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Topic: My first 3D-printed model

I got a Geeetech 3d-printer, and printed my first object. Here is how it’s made from ABS filament, and a lot of details about the model.

Start
Create 3D objects in reality, sounds difficult and magical. In the past, only factories can do it. But now it’s simple and the method is easy to understand.

A 3D model is cut into pieces or layers in computer, each layer is thinner than 1mm. Printing a layer is easy, just like painting with melting plastic, and then other layers upon it. It gets thicker and thicker and becomes the model you want.


Grids
In fact, the model is not totally solid. As you can see grids in the model, especially in the middle(the edge is solid). I think the grid structure can save material, it’s lighter but also has required strength--solid doesn’t means strong all the time.

Notes
Neighbor layers should be adhere to each other, however sometimes they are separated, because of unsuitable temperature or layer number. Changing conditions of printing can get different effects. And the bottom layer can not be easilypaste on the glass board below it, so glue is needed, don’t forget clear it after print.

Views
Different views of the 3D model, it’s only 5cm tall but consist of more than 100 layers and spent more than 4 hours. Not so fast but i think it’s cheaper and more convenient, than any other ways to get this 3D model. By the way, I purchased the 3D-printer from geeetech.com , the type of printer is Acrylic I3 pro.

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2 Reply by jagowilson (edited by jagowilson 2015-02-11 18:27:45)

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Re: My first 3D-printed model

How do you like that acrylic i3? Is the frame stable? I jokingly looked at one, because acrylic is typically self-disintegrating, but the price is unbeatable and I'd probably DIY something to replace the acrylic if I actually wanted one.

Putting the printer in an enclosure would fix some of your delamination issues there.

3 Reply by pirvan

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Re: My first 3D-printed model

jagowilson wrote:

... because acrylic is typically self-disintegrating....

Where exactly did you hear that?   

I've worked with acrylics (Plexiglass) for years in the 80's when I was a model maker for a large engineering firm, and I can tell you from personal experience it's one of the most resilient, strong, flexible and long lasting materials around.  In fact some of the models we made then are still around today.

Why do you think they make bulletproof barriers (like at banks) out of it?

I still have stands, shelves and display cases I made in those days that are still in as good a shape now as they were 30+ years ago?

You must be thinking of the unfortunate jigsaw puzzle Solidoodle used to use for an extruder way back when.  That's not a well though out design, as that was made from many pieces that had holes and cuts which left less than a 1/16" wall.  That is not the case with the parts on printers like the one in question.

To print or, 3D print, that is the question...
SD3 printer w/too many mods,  Printrbot Simple Maker Ed.,  FormLabs Form 1+
AnyCubic Photon, Shining 3D EinScan-S & Atlas 3D scanners...
...and too much time on my hands.

4 Reply by jagowilson (edited by jagowilson 2015-02-11 22:01:43)

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Re: My first 3D-printed model

It's just from my experience it's pretty brittle. I'll take your word on it. I never owned the acrylic extruder but acrylic mouth pieces and tanks for vaping (electronic cigarettes) always chipped and cracked in a couple months of ownership--most vape shops won't even sell acrylic parts for that reason.

How sturdy do you feel a frame made of 8mm acrylic would be (the size of the frame on the printer in question)? I've been eyeing Prusas for a while so I'll keep that one on my radar

5 Reply by xlq1010

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Re: My first 3D-printed model

this 8mm acrylic one is much more sturdy than the 5mm one that they provide previously, and you can compare from the build instruction, the 8mm is more siplyfied, easier to assembly, they did a lot improvments on their products. recently, they have another acrylic printer that can print 5 filaments, flexible and wood included, that is so good.

6 Reply by wenganxiang

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Re: My first 3D-printed model

jagowilson wrote:

How do you like that acrylic i3? Is the frame stable? I jokingly looked at one, because acrylic is typically self-disintegrating, but the price is unbeatable and I'd probably DIY something to replace the acrylic if I actually wanted one.

Putting the printer in an enclosure would fix some of your delamination issues there.


Yeah, it performs stably. The frame is also stable, and I got some stl files of its parts and I successfully printed them. They are firm. I will post them in my next topic.
So far I have not found something wrong with my printer. But you are right, the price is really unbeatable.

7 Reply by Manx

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Re: My first 3D-printed model

acrylic will degrade when exposed to UV radiation thats why bullet proof glass is replaced every few years. so over time yes it will degrade

http://science.howstuffworks.com/scienc … egrade.htm

8 Reply by likered

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Re: My first 3D-printed model

pirvan wrote:

it's one of the most resilient, strong, flexible and long lasting materials around.

You're experienced I think. The acrylic frame is stable enough, and as perfect as you said. So how could it be used as the printing material, in fact, we use ABS and PLA felament for most 3D printers, and they're not good enough.

9 Reply by wenganxiang

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Re: My first 3D-printed model

Its weird. Why can't I add a link??

10 Reply by wardjr

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Re: My first 3D-printed model

wenganxiang wrote:

Its weird. Why can't I add a link??

You need 10 posts, it's an anti spam thing.

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